Kissing Up

We've all seen "kissing up" to a higher ranked employee. Sometimes it might just be treating them with the respect they deserve. Real kissing up is blatant pandering to gain favor.

Ephesians 5:6-7 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye partakers with them. "

As you are promoted, you have more people working for you and you have more authority over situations affecting those employees. Employees and the public will treat you differently. I found it a little uncomfortable to realize I was being treated better only because I had power. I was being treated preferential because I could help someone get their wish. There are some people who enjoy the power of authority and use it manipulatively. They encourage kissing up because it makes them feel more powerful than others. It is an extremely ugly personality trait that dehumanizes others and elevates self to a Godly level.

I would always feel good about being mannerly, respectful and polite to my bosses. I would give my best. I could not let myself kiss up because it seemed to compromise my integrity. But what about if your employees kiss up to you? It may not be obvious to you at first. Sure, your jokes and humor are extremely and always funny - right? Sure, you all of a sudden have all the right answers - right? Sure, you have that magnetism that simply makes everyone want to be in your presence - right? Not that you are a dud or you wouldn't have been promoted but do you really think you are that great? Even the most average, nice, known employees will begin to treat you a little different. Be conscious and pray to God that your ego does not cloud your good sense. You are not the greatest and you will never be the greatest. The sun will come up and back down without the slightest effort on your part. Your employees will come and go without a thought of you in their everyday life. You may make good and bad decisions - and you better be ready to know the difference because you seldom have your employees tell you honestly how well or not you perform. If you believe only the good adoration you received it is like the old adage, "He believed his own press releases."

Here is an extremely harsh example of ego and kissing up run wild and it's reward: Acts 12:21-24 "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the word of God grew and multiplied." Do not sit upon your desk chair/throne in your royal garments/business clothes telling your oration/opinion unto your employees. When your employees shout you are so wonderful you must be a god and not mere man, remember God's action on those who try to be more than Him. Proverbs 19:3 "The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord."